Bringing Bright Ideas to Life

At Santiago Hills Elementary, creativity is shining brighter than ever, thanks to a $21,000 Innovative Grant from Irvine Public Schools Foundation! This grant funded an exciting new project called Brite Ideas, which introduces a giant Lite-Brite wall to the school’s library, a space already considered the heart of the campus. 

The goal is simple: spark students’ imaginations and deepen their engagement with reading. “Through this grant, we hope to ignite our students’ imaginations with the addition of a giant Lite-Brite wall, along with a variety of books that students can bring to life through their innovative designs,” explains Santiago Hills educator, Kathryn Wilhelm. 

Here’s how it works: after reading a book, students translate what they’ve read into a Lite-Brite design. Younger students can start with templates matching emotions, themes, and characters, while older students can plan and design their own displays. As confidence grows, they have the freedom to create their own interpretations, bringing their books to life in a brand-new way. The new large-scale Lite-Brite allows an entire class to contribute and build on each other’s ideas throughout the day, making it a dynamic and collaborative experience. 

The Brite Ideas project isn’t just about creativity, it’s about making reading more interactive, engaging, and fun for all students, from Pre-K through sixth grade. By fusing literature with the engineering design process, the library has been transformed into a hub of innovation where students don’t just read stories, they illuminate them! 

IPSF’s Innovative Grants Program is all about funding groundbreaking projects like this that push the boundaries of traditional learning and inspire students in new ways. These grants support creative educators and bring unique learning opportunities to students across Irvine. 

Santiago Hills is ready to light up young minds—one peg at a time.